How tourists will be able to conquer the Romans

PUBLISHED: 15:00 25 November 2008 | UPDATED: 13:46 06 May 2010

JULIUS Caesar came, saw and conquered – and now St Albans Museums are hoping that a new mobile guide can do the same for Roman Verulamium. A grant of £50,000 has been secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other partners for the Veni Vidi Verulamium

JULIUS Caesar came, saw and conquered - and now St Albans Museums are hoping that a new mobile guide can do the same for Roman Verulamium.

A grant of £50,000 has been secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other partners for the Veni Vidi Verulamium project which uses mobile multimedia information and educational tours to promote understanding of Roman Verulamium

Accessed using a hand-held device, Veni Vidi Verulamium will make the hidden remains of Rome visible using images, plans, oral histories and archaeological remains.

Visitors will be able to link the artefacts in Verulamium Museum to their original locations of excavation in the park.

The new mobile guide is due be launched in May next year to help celebrate the 70th anniversary of the opening of Verulamium Museum. Eight different tours will be available to cater for a range of audiences, each lasting up to 30 minutes, bringing Roman Britain to life through the eyes of Roman inhabitants and archaeologists.

Cllr Melvyn Teare, the council's portfolio holder for culture and heritage, said: "For the first time, specialist information will be brought together to create a unique experience for the visitor who wants to step back in time and understand Roman Verulamium."

And Robyn Llewellyn, the head of the Heritage Lottery Fund East of England, said: "This fantastic project will really bring the museum's collections to life for everyone to explore."

Local businesses are invited to be part of the project by helping with some final match funding. The museum is seeking a further £25,000 and anyone wishing to sponsor or donate to the project is asked to contact Mike Gray at the Verulamium Museum Trust on 01727 751816 or email Mike.Gray@stalbans.gov.uk

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